Phil Neville
Phil Neville (born 21 January 1977) is an English footballer who plays for Manchester United and England.
He is the son of Neville Neville and the younger brother of Gary Neville. He has played in two UEFA European Championships, Euro 2000 and Euro 2004. He came under intense criticism from the media in the earlier European Championship after a rash challenge on a Romanian player handed Romania a last minute penalty, which they put past Nigel Martyn and sent England crashing out the tournament in the first round. As a result, it was not long before Kevin Keegan was sacked as the England manager.
After playing football for Bury Schools and Greater Manchester Schoolboys, Phil Neville joined Manchester United as a trainee on 5 July 1993. United's gain was cricket's loss, however, as Phil was regarded as an outstanding talent with the Lancashire youth side and could well have reached county level. Less than twelve months after he had signed as a trainee Phil turned professional. His League debut was a real baptism of fire, a Manchester Derby at Maine Road in February 1995, the same season he captained United's junior team to FA Youth Cup glory.
That was just the start of the silverware for the younger Neville brother, who has picked up five League Championship medals, two FA Cup medals and a Champions League winners' medal while clocking up over 200 appearances for the Reds.
He reached his double-century in the 2000/2001 season, when he made over 30 appearances for the fourth successive season before picking up his fifth Premiership medal, scoring a peach of a goal against Middlesbrough to keep up with his brother on three United strikes each.
Phil's performances have continually caught the eye of England's managers and he has been a regular member of the international squad, with the heartbreaking exception of Glenn Hoddle's 22-man party for France '98.
Phil played in all three of England's Euro 2000 matches under Kevin Keegan, but his part in the tournament ended in tears as he gave away the penalty which knocked them out. His continued selection for England under Sven Goran Eriksson proves wrong those who say he is merely a squad player at Old Trafford.
And to further emphasis his happiness, Phil agreed a new six-year deal in May 2001 that will keep him at Old Trafford beyond his 30th birthday.
The 2002/03 season saw Phil really come of age at Old Trafford, while deputising for the injured Roy Keane. Phil and Seba Veron anchored the midfield in a 2–0 win over League leaders Arsenal in December 2002, keeping Patrick Vieira quiet as the Gunners capitulated.
His great form in the middle of the park led to an England recall at the end of the season, in which Phil had won his sixth League medal. He played in midfield in the friendly against Serbia-Montenegro, and even captained his country for half an hour in the second period. Off the pitch, his wife Julie gave birth to their first child – a son named Harvey.
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Categories: 1977 births | English footballers